So Much For Democracy. Kari Jones. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2014. 170 pp., pbk., pdf & epub, $9.95 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-4598-0481-4 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-4598-0482-1 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4598-0483-8 (epub). Grades 5-7 / Ages 10-12. Review by Natalie Schembri. **** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

“Astrid, it’s okay. Give her the mattress. I’ll put mine away too,” says Thema, but I stare at Mom and pull the mattress farther away. My face burns now, though I’m still in the water. Why is mom acting like this? She never used to treat me this way. She used to be fun, but now all she ever does is tell me I can’t do things. She’s done that so many times over the past few weeks.

I’m tired of it.

Twelve-year-old Astrid and siblings Gordo and Piper must transport their lives from Victoria, British Columbia to Ghana when Astrid’s father is asked to come to Accra to organize the first democratic election. The family’s move to Ghana proves to be a stressful transition for the family, especially for Astrid’s mother who is very fearful of the local food, water, and policing soldiers, creating anxiety within their household and preventing the children from enjoying their social freedom previously enjoyed in their Canadian life. Astrid’s mother’s rules—our first introduction to her anxious, over-protective character—outlined in the first chapter: “Don’t talk to anyone you don’t know, don’t eat anything unless it’s made in our kitchen, don’t drink anything unless it’s from a sealed bottle, don’t touch anything, and, most of all, don’t go anywhere without asking” (p. 1), function to heighten the domestic tension throughout the novel.

     Astrid is a strong and courageous female character who takes on the role of being a responsible and caring older sibling to Gordo and Piper as their mother continues in her alarming emotional downward spiral, the world around them looms with threats of violence, and the adults keep the children in the dark about what is happening in regards to the man who tries to takeover the Ghanaian government. Jones’ story provides readers with an emotionally captivating look into a family’s anxieties as the unit transitions to life in a new country, the children attend a new school, brother Gordo is struck with malaria, mother fearfully transforms into a new person, and the government is overthrown. Jones’ story richly depicts Astrid’s strength and commitment to her family as they endure stress and battle sickness and fear.

     At the end of the story, Jones delivers readers with a “Historical Note” which provides background information behind Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings’ coup. The note authenticates this historical time to the young reader as it provides additional context behind Ghana’s road towards the democratic election process.

     I would recommend So Much For Democracy for elementary classrooms and public library collections because the book educates readers about a family’s emotional situation and social conditions surrounding life in 1979 in Ghana. This book will provide educators the opportunity to have active discussions with their students about the integral role which government, elections, democracy, and freedom play in society.

Highly Recommended.

Natalie Schembri is studying children’s literature at The University of British Columbia.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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